Four more PDP governors and ten members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom State have resolved to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their planned defection adds to a growing list of lawmakers and governors crossing over to the ruling party, including Senators Neda Imasuen (Edo) and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa), who are also set to join the APC.
This political shift comes as the APC continues efforts to woo opposition figures, with insiders confirming that negotiations are ongoing to bring in four additional PDP governors—despite growing concerns about the emergence of a one-party state.
Some of the Akwa Ibom lawmakers confirmed their intention to switch allegiance but declined to speak publicly, citing procedural formalities still required under legislative rules.
APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH, naming those involved.
Among the defecting lawmakers are Senators Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), along with House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak, Ime Bassey, Martins Esin, Unyime Idem, and Mark Esset. Emmanuel Ukpongudo, elected on the YPP platform, is also said to be part of the defection.
This political realignment follows Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the APC last Friday. Explaining his move, he said it was driven by the need to align Akwa Ibom, a resource-rich state, with the federal government.
Eno’s defection mirrors that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who switched parties in April, bringing the entire Delta PDP structure into the APC. Eno, however, was only able to convince National Assembly members and a handful of aides to join him. Three of his commissioners resigned, refusing to defect.
Former Governor Udom Emmanuel, Eno’s political mentor, notably shunned the defection event and reiterated his loyalty to the PDP.
In a public address in Uyo, Eno said: “I have decided to progressively move to the APC. Our government has always been an inclusive government, which will never change.”
He explained that the move followed “three months of wide consultations” with key stakeholders, stating:
“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal letter of resignation from the PDP to my ward chairman, and same copy was sent to both the state chairman, as well as the national chairman. I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.”
A lawmaker from the group said their decision was made independently and not under duress:
“We left with the governor on June 6. When I say we, I mean all the PDP National Assembly members (from Akwa Ibom State), including one YPP member. We followed our leader to the APC.”
“There was no pressure from any angle,” he added.
An aide to one of the lawmakers confirmed that their formal defection letters will be read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas when the National Assembly reconvenes on June 17.
According to another aide: “It is not just the two senators but the eight other members of the House of Representatives, who were until Friday members of the PDP. For a long time before now, both Senators Sampson and Bassey had affirmed they would move with the governor.”
Meanwhile, Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South), elected under the Labour Party (LP), has announced his intention to join the APC on June 12, citing internal disarray within the LP and the desire to better position his district for federal attention.
Speaking in Benin City, Imasuen said: “I will be leaving the Labour Party to the APC as the current disarray in the LP will not help me achieve my aim for my people. My movement will also help align Edo South with the Federal Government and bring development to our people.”
In a similar development, Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is also expected to defect to the APC following tensions within the SDP sparked by the recent entry of former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
Wadada, citing “irreconcilable differences” with el-Rufai, said at a press briefing in Lafia: “I cannot be part of a political platform where there is no ideological direction and where personal ambition overrides collective interest.”
A source close to Wadada noted: “Even though he hasn’t officially made his next party destination public yet, there is a strong conviction among his followers that the senator is headed for the APC.”
APC Vice Chairman Arodiogbu added that nearly all Akwa Ibom State Assembly members have agreed to defect, with just a few holdouts:
“For us, Akwa Ibom is now a clean sweep,” he stated. “The lawmakers are coming with the governor. We understand they must declare on the Senate and House floors, but they have already committed.”
He also said more PDP governors were in talks to switch, with Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa “under serious watch.”
Rejecting accusations of coercion, Arodiogbu said: “No one is being coerced. The achievements of the Tinubu administration are self-evident. People are simply aligning with progress.”
With Governor Eno’s defection, the APC now controls 23 states, reducing the PDP to 10, while APGA, Labour Party, and NNPP each control one state.
As the realignment intensifies, attention now turns to remaining PDP governors, particularly Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), whose positions may be at risk amid mounting political pressure.
Fintiri’s recent meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has raised speculation, especially given his strained relationship with Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 PDP presidential candidate. Atiku’s recent political overtures to Aishatu Binani, Fintiri’s former rival, have only added fuel to the fire.
-PUNCH
